War hits the poorest hardest. By 2010 half of the world’s poorest people could be living in countries devastated or threatened by violent conflict.

The costs of conflict are horrific. Not only are lives lost and properties destroyed, but economic progress is set back many years. So development is a victim too. 

In 2005 world leaders promised new measures to prevent violence and bloodshed in developing countries. They agreed to:

• Crack down on the illegal arms trade.
• Tighten controls on small arms and light weapons.
• Support moves to disarm former soldiers and give them homes and work.

The G8 countries also pledged their support for greater peace and stability in Africa. They are backing an African Standby Force to carry out future peacekeeping missions.

Britain is working with the African Union and the UN to bring peace to Sudan, where years of war have left many people chronically poor.

Darfur, in south western Sudan, is locked in a violent conflict fuelled in part by tensions over land and water. Since 2003, at least 200,000 people have died and 2 million have fled their homes. We are supporting a new 26,000-strong United Nations international force which will help to protect civilians in the region who are under threat.

The UK is working with rich and poor countries, and with the United Nations, to end violent conflict wherever it exists and build peace in its place.

• Find out more about what DFID is doing to help bring peace to Sudan.
• Learn more about the G8 conference in 2005, and the agreements made on reducing conflict.